Meli has welcomed the Victorian Government’s proposed family violence law reforms, describing the measures as an important step towards strengthening protections for victim-survivors and increasing accountability for people who use violence.
Meli Director Family Safety and Therapeutic Services Lisa Robinson said the reforms, introduced to Parliament last week, reflect the strong evidence on the impacts of family violence and the importance of holding perpetrators accountable.
Through its family violence prevention, intervention and behaviour change programs, Meli works directly with individuals, children and families affected by family violence.
The proposed reforms would:
- Strengthen Family Violence Intervention Orders to reduce the need for victim-survivors to repeatedly return to court
- Require courts to consider victim-survivors’ views before extending intervention orders
- Expand Personal Safety Intervention Orders to recognise grooming
- Remove the use of ‘good character’ references to reduce sentences
The reforms also include a proposal to make coercive control a standalone offence.
Ms Robinson said any new offence would require a strong understanding of coercive control across the justice system to ensure it is identified accurately and applied effectively.
Evidence suggests that criminalising coercive control can present its own challenges.
“While strong laws are essential, lasting change requires enduring investment in primary prevention, workforce education and community awareness to intervene in dangerous patterns of behaviour,” Ms Robinson said.
“Everyone working across the justice system has a role in understanding the drivers of gendered violence, challenging harmful myths and misconceptions, and supporting systems that maximise perpetrator visibility and accountability.
“Laws alone do not stop violence. However, evidence-informed law reform, strengthened by prevention and education, can help create safer communities and better outcomes for victim-survivors.”
Meli’s recent contribution to a national roundtable on young people’s use of intimate partner violence reflects the organisation’s commitment to evidence-based early intervention.
Through its Young Men’s Behaviour Change Program, established in 2024 with philanthropic funding, Meli supports young men to better understand, express and manage their emotions while connecting them with wraparound supports including mental health, alcohol and other drug, and housing services. The program is currently funded by the Anthony Costa Foundation and Geelong Community Foundation.
Meli will continue to advocate for evidence-based approaches that improve safety, wellbeing and long-term outcomes for victim-survivors, while supporting initiatives that strengthen accountability for people who use violence.
Quick Exit